Prodigal Son (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author), Kevin J. Anderson (Author) "DEUCALION SELDOM SLEPT, but when he did, he dreamed..." (more)
Key Phrases: spinning rack, new race, autopsy table, New Orleans, Father Duchaine, Old Race (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this grisly thriller, the first in a new series by bestsellers Koontz and Anderson, Dr. Frankenstein has survived into the 21st century, masquerading as biotech tycoon Victor Helios. Helios wants to replace flawed humanity with his New Race, people born and fermented in pods, their personalities programmed by him, their imperfections removed in the lab. But at least one of his creations has become a serial killer, trying to assemble the perfect woman from parts of many. Like expert plate-spinners, the authors set up a dizzying array of narrative viewpoints and cycle through them effortlessly. These include one of Victor's creations who suffers from autism and is trying to understand it; a cloned priest who serves as a clandestine member of Helios's army; Helios's custom-made wife, unique among his creations in that she's allowed to feel shame; and, tying it all together, a classic buddy-cop set of homicide detectives who slowly come to understand that the butcher they're chasing isn't quite human. The odd juxtaposition of a police procedural with a neo-gothic, mad scientist plot gives the novel a wickedly unusual and intriguing feel. The familiarity of the Frankenstein myth makes much of the story arc predictable, but it's still a compelling read, with an elegant cliffhanger ending. (Feb.)
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From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—Detective O'Connor manages to look seductive and tragic while snacking in parking lots and blindly following the trail of New Orleans's most gruesome murderer. She and her partner, the slightly lackluster Michael Maddison, have discovered corpse after corpse throughout the city, each missing limbs or organs. Meanwhile, life seems easy for Victor Helios, scientist and technology mogul who lives in the lap of Southern luxury with an army of servants and a spouse to rival the most astonishing of Stepford wives. Strangely though, his company, Helios Biovision, housed in the crumbling Hands of Mercy Hospital, features bricked windows, security cameras, steel doors, and a staff that never sees the light of day. Based on the novel by Kevin J. Anderson and Dean Koontz, this graphic novel is one of the more compelling in the recent trend of "classic" adaptations. The story, though familiar, is packed with a satisfying blend of sinister twists and modern supporting characters. Booth's art has enough intensity and detailed creepiness to make any reader squirm. The eyes of the characters convey a sense of doom and inhumanness that adeptly mirror the philosophical darkness of the plotline. Blending questions of the human condition, justice, and revenge with a healthy smattering of gore, this first volume is sure to be snatched up by teens.—Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; First Thus edition (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553587889
• ISBN-13: 978-0553587883
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #61,112 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 1 in The Dean Koontz Frankenstein Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A modern day twist on an old classic., January 28, 2005

By	Jennifer Ortiz "jenortiz" (Morristown, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just love the way Dean Koontz can weave a tale. Its like you're cast in a spell and you can do nothing but hold on until the ride stops. I couldn't put this book down. I could have read it in one sitting if work and other annoying obligations didn't get in the way.

What if Dr. Frankenstein never died and was more powerful then ever? What could he accomplish with untold riches and resources? Well Dean Koontz certainly answered those questions. Dr. Victor Frankenstein (aka Victor Helios) is living in present day New Orleans and has created an empire where he a god. He creates life and takes it away at a whim. He has fine-tuned his craft by creating a New Race that will eventually wipe out mankind (the Old Race) and fulfill his dream of a utopian society that works like a beehive with a class system (alphas, betas, gammas, etc).

You might be asking what about Frankenstein's monster. Well he is alive and well also. He calls himself Deucalion (mythical son of Prometheus). Living in Tibet, he receives word that Victor is still alive. So he travels to New Orleans for what he believes to be his destiny...to finally destroy his maker.

After two hundred years, the man becomes the monster and the monster becomes human.

There is so much more to tell. There are so many new and interesting characters that are well developed. I urge you to read this book. Dean Koontz is a master storyteller and you will be enchanted. I can't wait for the next installment: Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: City of Night.

Jennifer

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The mad scientist returns, June 4, 2005

By	Eileen Rieback (Coral Springs, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This novel brings a classic legend up to date by replacing Victor Frankenstein's previously crude monster creation techniques with biotech engineering, cloning, and computer programming. Victor has learned the secret of long life and is still alive and well in 21st century New Orleans. Now a respected scientist and wealthy member of high society by day, Victor practices his high-tech life creation projects by night in order to create perfect beings, totally obedient to his will. He seeds his creations throughout the city so that they can undermine, and eventually replace, humanity and lead to a perfect New Age society. In the meanwhile, Frankenstein's original monster, now called Deucalion, is also gifted with immortality. He learns of his creator's existence and sets off for New Orleans to seek revenge. When a series of gruesome murders occur where body parts are removed from the victims, two police detectives try to track down the killer. Is one of Frankenstein's creations to blame?

The portrayal of Frankenstein's creatures is especially interesting. Created with a carefully controlled blend of human emotion and programmed behavior, they are at times confused about their feelings. Sometimes their human component fights against their artificial one, with interesting results. In a clever turnabout, Victor Frankenstein is portrayed as a monster and Deucalion has evolved to show more human traits than his creator. At first I was amused by the fact that immortality has become a popular pursuit, and that others in the story besides Frankenstein and his creations are capable of prolonged lives and physical perfection. Yet the real-world popularity of plastic surgery, nutritional supplements, and health clubs does prove that art imitates life.

Koontz originally wrote this story as a two-hour script for a television series pilot for the USA Network. When the producer requested major changes, Koontz pulled out of the project and decided to rewrite the story in book form in order to preserve the original concept. This book is only the first in a series of novels about Frankenstein and his progeny. Although I was expecting the story to have a few loose ends to pave the way for the next in the series, the ending could have been a bit less abrupt. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Eileen Rieback

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mondern day take on a classic., April 17, 2007

By	Bradley Dixon "B.D." - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Prodigal Son (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 1) (Paperback)

Dean Koontz does and excellent job with his take on Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. The story takes place in modern day and Victor Frankenstein (now better known as Victor Helios)has been alive for centuries creating his super human "New Race" of people who he plans to one day control to wipe out man kind (the "Old Race")and create his vision of a more powerful productive world. Now it is up to Detectives O'Conner and Maddison with the help of Victores original monster who now goes by the name Deacullion to stop Victor and his New Race and save mankind.

This was a great book that was hard to put down. If you have the time its very easy to read in one sitting. It offers suspense, excitment and a bit of humor. Highly recomended for all Koontz fans.